Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 11/5/2008

Question
hello, i'm 32 years old and i've had ringing in my both ears for more then 10 years. visited a lot of doctors and made all the audiology things and MRI. i'm on daily medication to decrease the ringing, but no result. Since 8 months ago, i've started taking herbal Diet pills (amana care) to lose weight. and i lost 10kg. but since then, my left ear is SCREAMING and ringing like crazy. i cant understand the words i hear, i cant focus at work, i cant watch TV nor sleep!!! the high ringing is driving me crazy and i am very sad. do u think it is from the herbal pills? or what? how can i stop this ringing? i dont care if i become deaf, but i dont want the ringing in my ears!!! pls advise me in any way pls.

Answer
Hi Carol,
Are you still taking the supplement?  Most diet supplements stimulate metabolism and heart rate and can increase tinnitus.  So, although I cannot say for sure that the diet pills are responsible for the increase in your tinnitus, you probably should stop them and see.  Next, when was the last evaluation you had by an ENT?  A change in status warrants a re-evaluation.  Your hearing may have changed which is why you may be more sensitive to the ringing.  There are some new therapies for tinnitus.  Check this website: http://www.neuromonics.com/  I don't know if it is available in your area, but if it is, it might be worth a try.  I'm assuming you are somewhere in Europe, so you may check Tinnitus Associations in your country. For instance, here is the British Tinnitus Association: http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/index.php?q=home  You might be able to find a therapist in your area who can help.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology